186
3224
Pupienus. Silver Denarius (3.60 g), AD 238.
Rome. IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG,
laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Pupi-
enus right.
Reverse:
P M TR P COS II P P, em-
peror, togate, standing facing, head left, hold-
ing branch and parazonium. RIC 5; BMC 50;
RSC 29.
Rare.
Well struck and well centered,
all lightly toned.
Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value......................... $1,000 - 1,300
Ex Goldberg 72 (5 February 2013), 4534.
3225
Balbinus. Silver Denarius (3.2 g), AD 238.
Rome. IMP C
D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed
bust of Balbinus right.
Reverse:
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM,
Providentia standing facing, head left, hold wand over globe
at feet to left and cornucopiae. RIC 7; BMC 3; RSC 23.
Rare.
Boldly struck on both sides on a wide flan. A splendid ex-
ample of this rare issue and nicely toned.
Superb Extremely
Fine.
After the death of the Gordiani, the Senate nominated
two of their own, Balbinus and Pupienus, as joint emper-
ors to oppose Maximinus I who was then quickly march-
ing towards Italy at the head of his legions from the Bal-
kans. Pupienus had risen through the ranks of the military
before becoming a senator and was thus the natural
choice to lead the defense in northern Italy, while Bal-
binus stayed behind in Rome to shore up support there.
When Maximinus’ troops arrived before Aquileia, lack
of provisions caused them to mutiny. They murdered
the emperor and his son and paraded their disem-
bodied heads on lances which they carried to Rome.
Although Maximinus was now out of the way, the city of
Rome remained in a state of turmoil. The joint emperors,
being wealthy patricians, were not well liked by the inhab-
itants who forced the Senate to nominate as Caesar the
grandson and nephew of the Gordiani, Gordian III. De-
spite this attempt at appeasement, however, the people
were in open revolt. Fire had been set to the city, causing
much devastation and making many homeless. To make
matters worse, the co-emperors were mutually suspicious
of one another. In the ensuing disorder, the Praetorian
Guard broke into the palace and murdered both emper-
ors, elevating the young Gordian III as the new emperor.
Estimated Value .............................................$2,000 - 2,500
Ex Steinberg, NAC 1973 Sale, lot 320.
